
Ukraine: Joint I/NGO Statement on Recent Events in Ukraine (18.02.2022)




“The information space is now filled with fakes that reveal the true intentions of the Russian side. When Russian puppets intimidate people with the advance of our army and call for evacuation, this proves once again that they see donbas as deserted. Vice versa. Ukraine wants peace in Donbas, so that the revival begins as soon as possible. Because this is our land, our people live there. We are not planning any offensives. Because it can pose a threat to our citizens in the temporarily occupied territories. We value every life, unlike the Russian troops who shell kindergartens and schools. Yesterday, Russian propaganda spread outright lies about the shelling of Stanytsia Luhanska, which we quickly refuted. Today they came up with another fake about some subversive groups that were supposedly going to stage a chemical attack in Horlivka. They even made a staged video. And they themselves shelled the UN humanitarian mission at the checkpoint in Shchastia. This is something that we and our partners have repeatedly warned about – the Russian side is preparing various dramatizations to justify its crimes. This is a manifestation of information warfare. Once again I appeal to citizens – do not believe fakes and do not be afraid. The Ukrainian army is ready to repel the enemy, but will act within the framework of the agreements and in no case create a danger to people” – Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov (Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, 18.02.2022).
Today, the stakes has become even higher, as there been reports of already 45 violations in the last 24 hours of the ceasefire in the separatists regions of Donetsk and Luthansk or the Donbass regions of Ukraine. Now there is a further usage of the spark, which everyone has feared about.
There is reports of a car-bomb in front of a government building in Donetsk. Which Russian media houses and sources says this: “According to preliminary information, the car blown up in the center of Donetsk belonged to the head of the DPR NM, Colonel Sinenkov. He wasn’t hurt”. While there is reports that separatists are already evacuating civilians from the region on buses to Rostov in Russia. This is a further escalation, while there is no proof of allegation. Schools and orphanages has also begun the evacuation from the region as well. Therefore, all of this was very coordinated from the start.
Russian government have already fixed payments (10,000 rubels) to the civilians there and also the transports. There is also plans for shelter as well. While in Northwest of Gorlovka-Horlivka hears artillery. That is maybe the signal of the mechanical brigades of moment, after the false-flag operation went after plan. So, the staged plan for warfare and excuse to invade Donetsk People’s Republic and annex that to Russia like Crimea in 2014.
We should worry that vehicle and this “assassination” attempt will be used as a pretext for war. Just like assassinations has been used to in the past. This is giving the Russians reasons to enter DPR to save the Donbass from “terrorists”. Even if this car-bomb can have been planted by Russian supported separatists, which we cannot know at this very moment. That is all just speculation, but wouldn’t be shocking in the grand scheme of things. Peace.

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 18, 2022 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is working with the Ethiopian authorities and partners to provide emergency aid to thousands of Eritrean refugees who fled Barahle refugee camp and its environs in the Afar region after fighting engulfed the area.
Refugees who trekked the long distance to the regional capital in Semera told UNHCR staff that armed men entered the camp on 3 February, stole their belongings and occupied their homes. According to their testimonies, at least five refugees were killed and several women were kidnapped. Family members lost one another in the chaos of fleeing the camp.
So far, over 4,000 refugees are in Semera where UNHCR together with Ethiopia’s Government Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) and other partners are providing immediate support with shelter, relief items, food as well as clean water. We have also set up protection desks where the most vulnerable among the refugees, including separated children and others with specific needs, are being identified and provided with support.
Around 10,000 refugees are also reported to be living in Afdera town, approximately 225 kilometers from Semera. Others are also believed to have fled towards the towns of Altefa and Dabure, further inland.
The government has identified a temporary site in Serdo town, 40 kilometers from Semera, where UNHCR, RRS and partners are making preparations in order to quickly relocate refugees.
With yet another refugee camp severely impacted, UNHCR remains extremely worried about the safety and wellbeing of thousands of Eritrean refugees caught up in the conflict.
We condemn the attack on the refugee camp and reiterate the call for cessation of hostilities to avoid further destruction and potential loss of life for refugees and Ethiopians alike, and so that much needed humanitarian assistance can reach them.
There are also large numbers of internally displaced Ethiopians in the Afar region, including some 300,000 uprooted by the recent fighting.
UNHCR will continue our efforts to support the Ethiopian government in its response to refugees and displaced populations affected by the conflict.






“Our goal is for our border with Mali to be secure. We expect that after the departure of Barkhane and Takuba, this area will be even more infested and that the terrorist groups will strengthen. However, we know that they are destined to extend their influence. The new bases will therefore not be far from Ménaka and Gao. They will especially welcome Takuba, because it has great advantages for us. They are special forces with capabilities responding to the threat posed by terrorist organizations. Takuba is also a force integrated into the Malian army and soon into the Niger army. We will have an agreement with the European governments which could intervene. Barkhane’s concept is a bit different” (President Mohamed Bazoum, 18.02.2022).
It seems like the Republic of Niger wants to have a base and a new central role in Barkhane Operation of the French and European military in the Sahel region. That is the message is the of the Niger President Mohamed Bazoum today.
We know the authorities and Conseil National de Transition (CNT) have decided to end their military agreements and co-operation with the French and other foreign allies in Mali. That’s why Bazoum takes the opportunity to strengthen his defence and use the French with a possible bigger base in Niger. This is how it looks to me.
That the former French colonies are now trying to strategies to get benefits of it, as the French have not promised to cease their operations or efforts in the Sahel region. Which wouldn’t shock anyone, as the French want to defend their interests and calculated assets there. The French are not there out of charity, but because it’s big business for them.
Now Niger will be in the mercy of the French and their loyalty to Paris. Niamey will be the token soldier for the French and their needs. We know the French don’t want to have accountability or transparency oft their military efforts in the Western Africa and in Sahel Region. That’s the gist of it…
Niger is just taking over the spot of Mali and doing it willingly, as a way of boosting their own defences while throwing shade at Mali. Because, they are using the fragile borders as an excuse to have additional troops on its territory.
Bazoum is clearly an ally of the French and wants to be an elitist of Paris. He wants the goodwill and support from the French. That is clear here and Niamey is a place to look out for. As Bazoum is trying to strategise himself in close association of French interests in the Sahel region. Peace.





